Trypanosoma cruzi screening in people living with HIV in the UK

Int J STD AIDS. 2024 Jan;35(1):71-73. doi: 10.1177/09564624231202292. Epub 2023 Sep 20.

Abstract

People living with HIV (PLWH) are at higher risk of reactivation of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. There are no data from UK HIV clinics on the prevalence of T. cruzi. We implemented T. cruzi screening at our clinic as part of routine care for PLWH with epidemiological risk factors. Among 86 patients screened, none had positive serology: one seropositive patient was identified due to increased clinician awareness. Implementing T. cruzi screening as part of routine clinical care was feasible, though labour intensive and identified at-risk individuals.

Keywords: Chagas disease; HIV; T.Cruzi; Trypanosoma cruzi; screening.

MeSH terms

  • Chagas Disease* / diagnosis
  • Chagas Disease* / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections* / complications
  • HIV Infections* / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Trypanosoma cruzi* / physiology
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology